In this Australian Grand Prix, there was obviously a general problem at Aprilia if we judge by the comments of Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales. The first suspects an electronic problem, focusing his attention on the traction control, but the second remains in this expectation which makes him grumpy. It must be said that he more than suffered at Phillip Island on Sunday by being unable to set times at the end of the race of the level required by this heightened competition that is today's MotoGP. Sinking into the depths of the rankings, the Top Gun demands answers from his team...
With this 18th race of the season, Maverick Vinales appeared again as a possible spoilsport at the top of the peloton with a Aprilia which he had taken to ninth place at the end of the free practice sessions and installed on the 12th spot on the starting grid. His performance in FP4 was encouraging in this respect, so much so that what followed in the race was a real disappointment. The Spanish ofAprilia was not able to show an adequate pace for the expected objectives, an aspect that led him to close the race in 17th place, from the first places in the classification, since 22 seconds behindAlex Rins on his Suzuki, who celebrated the victory.
In view of the unfolding of events, Maverick Vinales was necessarily bitter, and, above all, full of expectation: “ I honestly can't explain what happened » declared the Top Gun upon arrival. “ We still need to carefully analyze the data but it's clear that something went wrong, I didn't even get close to the pace that, with the same tires, I had in the FP4 simulations. It is difficult to identify the cause now, we will have to work on it and also use this experience to improve ».
Maverick Vinales: “ I don't want to criticize anyone because it would only hurt me »
« It is difficult to understand this result » he added in cold anger. “ On Saturday, I rode in 1'29 with the same tires at race pace. In the race, I was only able to set a time of 1'30, otherwise I was a second or two slower. To finish I even rode 1'h34 minutes “, underlined the Spaniard who regrets: “ I was slower than the Moto2 guys ».
« I do not believe it » he mentions again. « We don't know what happened. We checked the data, but the bike is the same, the settings are the same, but I'm still three seconds slower. I do not know what to say ". Then he mentions: “ I don't want to criticize anyone because it would only hurt me. I'd rather not talk about it. Overall, we need to learn from this, because it's not our level ».
He finishes : " I just couldn't get the lap times right. We must now understand. I told myself after FP4 that I could get on the podium because I was so fast. I just don't understand ". Mysteries and technical setbacks follow one another at Aprilia since the start of this overseas campaign, which has not failed to underline either Aleix Espargaró who sees his title chances dwindle a little more with each race.
MotoGP Australia Race: standings
Credit classification motogp.com
